8mm Forum: GS-1200: A Hot Subject!

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Posted by Bernard C. G. Pritchard (Member # 631) on May 28, 2017, 05:37 PM:

Greetings, film-fans!

I have now joined that august band of GS-1200 users, after graduating, like many, through various 8mm and Super-8 projectors over the last thirty-odd years. It's an early version, but so far runs well, with immediately apparent benefits over the previous ST-1200, such as quieter running, hum-free amplified sound, easy operation, very fast rewind and, with my previous 1.0 lens, and, even with the fitted EJL (rather than evidently superior ESC) lamp, a brighter image, even at the lower lamp setting.

I must thank so many people here who have contributed to my understanding of this wondrous machine - including its drawbacks and advantages - in this forum over a good few years!

However, (you were doubtless waiting for that) after playing a film for a little while, I was somewhat alarmed to see a thin stream of smoke gently rising from the top grill of the case. (It wasn't the tobacco haze that those of us might recall from cinemas of the 1950s and beyond.)

There was no evident smell, but the lamp cover and its surroundings were intensely hot, and, worryingly, the heat seemed to spread along the connected metal surfaces including the lens.

Well, things became more apparent when half way through a 600-footer, the 200w lamp went out. On inspection, the problem seemed evident: one of the lamp-holder leads had severed, revealing a join (made on both leads) where solder had been used to make a connection, sealed beneath some rather nifty black insulating sleeve. So, clearly, solder would be the weakest link for such a lead. Following information found on this forum, I've orders some ceramic terminal blocks to provide a more reliable connection. Until then, I cut the solder of both leads,and re-connected them very temporarily by a simple twist-join. So, light restored, but still a trace of smoke, and the heat is just as great - and much hotter than the dear old ST-1200.

Doctor, is this normal?

All and any help and advice will be very welcome.

Many thanks, and happy viewing!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 28, 2017, 05:49 PM:

Bernard when you switch the lamp on is the cooling fan running?

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on May 29, 2017, 04:25 AM:

Bernard,

Why not bite the bullet and send it to "Mr. GS" Bill Parsons for a service, he used to be an Elmo engineer, and knows these machines backwards, and once he's serviced a machine it usually runs and runs and runs.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 29, 2017, 04:28 AM:

Great advice Barry. Chances are if it's an early model as you say, it would benefit from modified guides and extra rollers now anyhow before putting a prized print through it.

This is where Bill can really come into his own in supplying you with a machine fit for purpose for many years to come.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on May 29, 2017, 04:30 AM:

You guys have just reminded me to send off my own GS1200 for
a service to Bill.

Then maybe I will sell it ... maybe. [Wink]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 29, 2017, 04:34 AM:

If I'd spent the time, effort and money to parcel it, send it and then have it upgraded to correct serviceable levels, that'd be the time to enjoy it again I'd have thought?

Gone are the days when these are fetching close to the £1000 mark so to have the work done is purely for the benefit of the end user by my reckoning as opposed to a means to sell.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on May 29, 2017, 05:26 AM:

Andrew do you have any idea of what Bill charges for a full
service these days along with maybe anti scratch rollers ?

I might give him a phone as i do have 2 bladed shutter Elmo
GS 800 too.

I may just hang on to these as alternative machines.

Posted by Bernard C. G. Pritchard (Member # 631) on May 29, 2017, 05:34 AM:

Dear Graham, Barry, Andrew, David and any further correspondents who reply in the time that I am writing this,

Many thanks for kindly and promptly answering my enquiry: yes, Graham, as I should have realised, the cooling fan is not functioning. There is an unattached red lead in the vicinity of the fan motor, but I don't know where where it should be joinded. In addition, the resistor(?) on this lead appears burnt - might this need replacing?

I have some snaps here: https://www.irista.com/gallery/gisttccg5ph5

Incidentally, I've used this link, since the 'click here to upload image' facility takes me to Film-Tech, and not a link to my PC where the images are. Any further advice here?

Yes, I think I should as you wisely suggest get this monster serviced, as suggested. (Another issue is that this is a German-market edition, and there is no voltage changer for 240v as I've seen pictured on other models.)

Please can you supply contact details for Mr Parsons? What is the rough cost of such a service?

I was indeed considering ordering and fitting the after-market film guides with rollers, too.

Again, many grateful thanks, all, and best wishes to everyone for an enjoyable Bank Holiday Monday, to those who have it!

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on May 29, 2017, 05:49 AM:

Bernard...Here you are...Bill Parsons
3 Salthouse Close
Brookland
Kent
TN29 9SD

Phone : 01797 344764 ...e-mail: bill@bparsons97.plus.com

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 29, 2017, 07:17 AM:

Sorry David, I have no idea of what Bill charges for servicing Elmo machines as I have never sent one to him.

I did send my Beaulieu to him however in the early days of ownership due to an intermittent electronic fault in the amplifier section and a fault concerning the electronics beneath the V.U. meter also and I found his fees very reasonable indeed especially considering his expert knowledge on all things electronics and Super 8mm.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 29, 2017, 11:03 AM:

Bernard
The GS-1200 is a highly complicated piece of electronics with its four motors and should only be repaired/serviced by a professional.
The smoke was obviously coming from the resistor as it burned out.
The fan is wired to come on as soon as the main switch is turned on.
I am concerned over your comment about it being a German market model. This may be wired for 220v and putting in around 240 volts each time you use it may do it some harm. Are you sure there is no method of altering the input voltage? I suggest you seek professional advice on this matter.

[ May 29, 2017, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Maurice Leakey ]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 29, 2017, 02:05 PM:

Hi Bernard

Maurice is right, you have got a good projector with the GS1200, but it does need an expert to fix things. If you dont live to far from Mr Parson then a drive to his place to drop it might be the best bet, as its one very heavy projector to post. Anyway all the best with the repairs and any guide mods etc you might get done at the same time, look forward to hearing the results. [Smile]

Posted by Del Phillipson (Member # 513) on May 29, 2017, 03:50 PM:

I would like to endorse what everyone else has said, send it to Bill, he's done an amazing job with mine and it now purrs like a kitten [Wink]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 29, 2017, 03:56 PM:

[Smile]

Posted by Bernard C. G. Pritchard (Member # 631) on May 29, 2017, 05:00 PM:

Dear All,

I'm most grateful for the considered responses from you all!

I'm now duly convinced that I should have the machine repaired just as you recommend, and will now leave it entirely alone until it has been professionally serviced. Until then, back to enjoying the still-excellent ST-1200HD!

And, provided Mr Parsons agrees to carry out the repair/service, I'll deliver it (and later collect) rather than risk sending it. (It might be a good couple of months before I'm down that way, but I'll be most happy to share the results.)

Thank you again for your wise recommendations, and happy viewing, everyone!

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on May 29, 2017, 06:03 PM:

You are most welcome Bernard and good luck with the service
and mods. [Smile]

Posted by Del Phillipson (Member # 513) on May 30, 2017, 03:37 AM:

Bernard, just a suggestion, if you intend to re record at any time in the future, mention it to bill and he will change the capacitors for you while he's servicing it, the difference is unbelievable, Del.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 30, 2017, 08:10 AM:

I'd like to think any professional service on one of these would cover all aspects of the machines functionality.
That of course, would have to include the ability to be able to record correctly on one.

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